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July 22, 2015 I'm going to start today to record on a daily basis whatever happens to strike my fancy. So, it is a very cool breezy day. I just posted 5 short book reviews to The Monthly Reading Challenge. I'm suppose to put away some winter wood today from the woodpile outside but I'm playing hookey from work to write so starting this blog will get done. I'm having a daily fight with a flock of English Sparrows that are trying to take over my barn. They are making a terrible mess so they have to go. I have destroyed several nests so far they don't leave but they get out of the barn when I am around. I'm just starting the fight so I guess I don't know how far I have to go to discourage them. I'm trying not to spread myself to thin on WDC because I find so many things that are interesting here and I am trying to work on a new story. I really enjoy sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and reading blogs on WDC. |
| Day 2839: August 25 Marrakech,Morocco Prompt: Marrakech is a beautiful place. Look at Things to do in Marrakech https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293734-Activities-Marrakech_Marrakech_T... and find something you think is beautiful. Why do you think it is beautiful  Reference from Wikipedial:"Franz André Heller (born 22 March 1947 as Francis Charles Georges Jean André Heller-Hueart[1]) is an Austrian artist, author, poet, singer, songwriter and actor. " This garden was created in a desert place. The best date I have for the gardens beginnings is in 1986. It covers 2 hectares of ground. There are botanical plants combined with an artistic arrangement of walkways, seating, and art displays. The garden is intended to bring to mind a Garden of Edin type introspection. The arrangement of walkways and garden exhibits invite people to sit and meditate or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. New age music expands the inviting atmosphere of the garden. Art displays enhance the viewing experience. Why do I think it is beautiful? All around us in this city we see two worlds. One is hot, filled with sand which draws and holds heat, filled with dryness and ageing. The other is green and colorful, born of water, which is a life giving, ongoing with the expectation of living. This garden expresses life, peace, color and the joy of learning. It appeals to all the senses. It gives people a place to go a view the thoughts and reality of living. ![Merit Badge in Travel
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| https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293734-d1676197-Reviews-Royal_Mansour_... All I can say, is we've been very lucky when it comes to hotels thus far but no sleeping in for us because we have a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. We have an extended check out so we'll be hanging here until our flight. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293734-d15305958-Hot_Air_Ba... After our hot air balloon we're going shopping. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293734-d15000784-Marrakech_... 30 day write a poem or write a story about your adventures in Marrakech.  The Royal Mansour Marrakech is touring in the way a wealthy sheik would tour. It's what my mind thinks is very Arab. It's also very understandable. This is a desert place. Sand everywhere. We surround ourselves with water, rugs, and walls that will keep us cool and provide the moisture we need to survive the elements. Luxury that makes us human in an alien landscape of sand and sun. A human element necessary for our species to survive. Our first meal of the day is offered in a large beautifully laid out tent. The floor is a covering of colorful rugs laid out in lovely patterns. Individual food tables are laid out by comfortable cushions. Early morning ballooning gives us a view of the countryside. Marrakech Dream Ballooning is putting up many balloons this morning. They rise into the air with the sun that is just peaking over the horizon. We learned on another balloon trip this month that early morning ballooning is done at times when the air currents are the most stable which is early in the day. During the trip we rise above the clouds for awhile. The clouds below us are a complete covering, fluffy and white. Now we can have dreams of walking on clouds. When we are low enough to the ground we see large expanses of sandy ground. There is green here in places. Man made oasis type gardens and irrigated cultivation. Morocco people grow vegetables, sugar beets, sugar cane, cereal crops, citrus, olives, almonds, grapes, dates, animal forage and other crops. They also raise sheep and other farming animals. In reality, the year 2020 brought a serious drought. Some fields that would have other wise been harvested have been given over to animal forage. The sky around us is actually filled with different multicolored balloons. Other atmosphere sailors enjoying the early morning flight, like a flock of birds on the wing. The colors of the sky that surround us are oranges,yellows,lavenders,and blue as the sun slowly ascends. We ascend and return in time to tour the markets. The spices and herbs are here in sacks. Rugs, baskets, and bolts of material all in brightly dyed colors, with designs woven into the merchandise. I buy goat milk cheese, dates, and grapes to take back to our private residence, our own Moroccan riad. Blue Moon, Lyn, WakeUpAndLive, and I hopped in a horse drawn carriage for a nighttime tour. This is a peaceful way to see the city. We passed through Medina and saw newer districts too. Jemaa el-Friaa Square was a blast of colored lights and people shopping at night. At some parts of the city the carriage was followed by child artists, running along side, showing us their artwork hoping we will buy something. There are camel rides here too. Later some of us took a large taxi to a restaurant called M Rooftop. The service was friendly and social. We had choices of many vegetable dishes. It was a fine place to eat. Morocco is considered a peaceful safe place to visit. In today's news is an article about how they intend to increase their foray into wind energy. Also, is an article about Morocco's warrior women, a group of equestrian riders lead by Afrae Ben Bih who are expected to take honors in the countries traditional fantasia equestrian event. We are having a visit to remember here. |
| Day 2838: August 24 Nouakchott, Mauritania. Prompt: Take a look at Nouakchott 2020 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293815-Nouakchott-Vacations.html and answer these questions: What is the best of Nouakchott? Why?   I can only say that due to what I have read as I traveled through this city the best things are the ability of many diverse people to come together and keep social peace. Unfortunately, all is not well in Mauritania presently, there is a refugee problem, people pouring in from other African places because of violence. An ongoing fight against terrorists is being raged by the 5 Sahel nations of which Mauritania is one. Politically one group of politicians has been overthrown and replaced by another group. I don't know enough about the event to make a judgment about the way it was handled or if it is a favorable condition for the country or what the ramifications of how it will affect Nouakchott which is the capital city of the nation. Also, a vote coming up in this country by its inhabitants is being threatened. Africa has been in upheaval for awhile. Terrorists are trying to stop ongoing efforts in Africa to make major changes for the good in the society. Sometimes this has a religious back ground. People like Mandela know, yes know because the spirit of Mandela exists in Africa, there is not a reason for blacks in Africa to live in squalor and starvation. Social unrest is effecting the whole nation. Mauritania is only one of the nations affected. I have read that some civilizations on the earth fell when they reached a certain kind of technological plateau. Now, the whole earth is growing toward communication marvels, bountiful ways to grow and produce food, an ecological battle to help animal populations survive and other advancements to living on the planet. Isaiah said there would always be nations. Pray for the nations as they fight against evil and continue to grow toward, "on earth as it is in heaven." If earth and the milky way are going to join heavenly nations we need to be advanced enough to meet the need. Move forward not backward one step at a time, move the line. |
Nouakchott, Mauritania:Discuss what you enjoyed on the tour or the library, or the shipyard graveyard or even the restaurant. Maybe all of them. Have fun! Nouakchott Hotel and tours. Nouakchott, Mauritania The hotel is clean and adequate for spending so few hours in it that we are able. I like its' height and the ability to see out over the city. You can hear the call to worship from one of the Mosques from here. It seems like an ancient sound. The mosques are high walled building that remind me of forts. The high walls keep in the coolness of the concrete. When I visited the libraries of Chinguetti I yearned for a life of scientific exploration of just these 5 libraries. As a big fan of saving all written works in digital form, I can see several lifes' work here. There is an effort going forward to save all the works in the libraries. As they are owned by private owners, it is an ongoing negotiation by world authorities. It also surprises me that tourists are allowed to visit the libraries and read, if you are able, the scrolls and books found here. It's interesting that the city of Chinguetti is considered a Holy place. It is on the way to Mecca. It is also known for its scholarly, knowledge endeavors. Students study here. Lawyers learn here. People pray here. At Port de Peche the fishing boats are a wonder. They are painted with fancy murals and symbols. When they put out to sea in the morning the colorful vessels bounce on the waters, covering the sea clear out to the horizon, where ocean meets sky. A local fish monger pushes a cart on his way to city streets, which makes me smile. A fish monger pushed a cart every morning in Panama City at sun rise, down a street where I lived shouting, "Fresh Fish, Fresh Fish." Nouakchott was made the capital of Mauritania to help the unity of Blacks and Arab Moors. It is a zone where a biogeographic ecoclimate between north Sahara and the south savanna intermingle. The long coast line has sand pushing into the sea. In some places high dunes push into frothy sea waves like reddish colored walls. The city hosts muslim, catholic, protestant, and evangelical churches. A mix and blend of people that caused a growth of population since the city was born. In this African culture the blend works to human advantage. |
| BCoF: Nelson Mandela, was a complex man. Discuss what you learn with one of the links. Nelson Mandela's life represents his views after he experienced education and apartheid which was a colliding kind of social disruption. I liked the history of Mandel presented in Wikipedia. I watched some PBS stories about his imprisonment and subsequent release and rise to the presidency. Facts about his youth and education as a lawyer were not something I remember seeing in the documentary. Going into a higher educational situation in your formative years helps you solidify your beliefs. For Mandela it was necessary to live, in the moment, each time he had to stand up for what he believed was right. If it's right you don't back down. He had different historical figures to tell him about standing up for what you believe. He had the back up of other people who also believed what he was fighting for. As a leader, it was his trail they were following. If you lead well you show what needs to be done, not just tell. In a way this is a classic life story. Grow as an adult. Take a stand. Be punished for your stand. Be rewarded for your stand. With the world looking on it helped to keep him alive. World wide news coverage makes people more cautious about the kinds of punishment is handed to political opponents. In the end he was able with the help of others to turn the political outlook around to a right attitude. ![Merit Badge in Point of View
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| This museum is not something anyone should hurry through. Enjoy the (2000+) photos, discuss some of the ones that appeal to you. Did you discover the other name for Johannesburg and what is it? Jo'burg, Jozi, Egoli, three nicknames for Johannesburg. Egoli=The City of Gold or Golden Reef City. There is only one word for The Resident Boutique Hotel, well maybe two; homey or cozy. I find a need for rest in the Resident Boutique because of my Johannesburg travels. After a drive around the waterfall city project I landed in the Apartheid Museum. I liked these quotes I found in the museum: "Humanity was born in Africa all people are ultimately African." "Something inside would not let me compromise." The entire Bill of Rights should be published around the world because it is so expressive of the inner desires of people. I also liked the political cartoon exhibit. The museum is going to be relevant over the years as a new generation seeks knowledge of its heritage. Another museum that caught my eye is the Origins Centre Museum. It combines scientific facts with cultural heritage and history of many subjects. There are dinosaur facts and parts, DNA exhibits including skeletons, bones, and skulls. Historical facts of periods in earth times, ancient Art, and culture crafts. The Wartrail panel is a painted lab of rock depicting figures to analyze. It leads the visitor to wall stories of mental out of body experiences that may have been depicted in the artwork. I could not let it go here I had to work in a Pilanesberg National Park safari. We rode in an open air vehicle that looked like a truck, but sounded like a tractor. Actually, the tractor sound was comforting. More powerful than a regular vehicle I hope. It was with the Bakgatla Safari group. We saw lions, zebras, giraffe, a very large monitor lizard walking in the roadway warthog traveling in a group, white rhino, and elephants at a waterhole. The elephants were so large up close. Some were off to the side grazing. In all it was a day filled with knowledge gathering. The Safari guides dropped me at the Boutique at 9 p.m. and I'm hungry for food. We had a lunch with the safari, but that was quite awhile ago. |
| Prompt: Pick out one of these things to do in Cape Town https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g312659-Activities-Cape_Town_Central_Wes... and write a story, article, or poem about it. Two Oceans Aquarium is located at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It is open in all kinds of weather. The penguins are one of the attractions that lure tourists and Cape Town residents on a regular basis. Two Oceans Aquarium A world hidden from sight, explored with viewing tunnel windows . Just the right height. A touch pool helping us see, Life is ancient, diverse below the sea. Below two oceans you will find, Kelp forests and seaweed woods. Hiding rays, sharks, eels, seahorses, crabs, ocean fish of all kinds. |
| 30 Day We're spending a relaxing day at the hotel. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g312659-d12223139-Reviews-The_Silo_Hote... If you want to explore a bit, they recommend the Botanical Gardens. https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/ talk about the things you discovered at the hotel or the garden.  The Silo hotel was actually built in and over an old silo. Wow. What a nice place this is, I'm not sure I want to just spend one day. Definitely, spent some time in the pool. Then slept in as well. Then got restless so went with a guide to the Kirsten Bosch National Botanical Gardens. South Africa has placed these conservation gardens in many different places throughout South Africa. The South Africa Biodiversity Institute is responsible for these flora places. Such beautiful views from the ground. There is a large conservatory of plants. The outdoor plants are native to the Cape Town region. A walkway placed high over head is one of the ways to view the plants. You can find small waterfalls and pools among the arrangement of plants. There were lots of plaques around to explain the plants we saw. We climbed around in one old gnarled tree with limbs growing close to the ground. walking through Botanical Gardens connects one to the earth in a special way. Then the guide wanted us to experience a more normal part of the city. He took us down a highway to a place called the Brass Ball where we ate fish and chips while watching waves crash on the sandy beach. We watched surfers get wasted as the rolling waves were high and rough. There is beer, wine, and alcoholic drinks as a part of many types of places such as the Books and beer pub last night. This is because alcoholic beverage is a part of the social atmosphere of Cape Town. |
| BCoF: We're doing a mystery bus tour. You get to put your thinking cap on and write a flash fiction ghost story. 100 words or less. https://www.capetownmagazine.com/events/mystery-ghost-bus-haunted-tour-in-cape-t... the bonus surprise of the day is actually our hotel. Wait until you see this incredible pool. We're staying here tomorrow too so don't worry about missing out on the amenities. {/c  We stopped at Rugby Jocks for a light beverage to see us through the night. As we exited the pub I noticed two pencil thin lights meandering away through the night. This started out near Bishops Court. We had a quick crowd conference. Blue moon, Hullabaloo, Sandra Lyn, Carla--yeah and lynn and Fivesixer. There was a short argument but all agreed on one thing--the lights were definitely moving with purpose. So, we followed them. I thought I could see faint outlines of human forms but, I wasn't sure. As we approached the Ponce City Market the electricity in street lights started flashing on and off. After we entered the market it leveled out but, the lights were dimmer. I noticed a book stall called books and booze. We entered. There were second hand books of all types as we were browsing through the shelves a large snap cracked in the air near the door. Hey! those lights just left. We all sprinted toward the door at once. Sure enough outside the lights were traveling swiftly in a northerly direction. We were headed toward Rosebank and the artist district of the city. The pace was swift and I was sure I could see the forms of two people it looked like the lights were attached the back of their heads. But, that can't be right because the lights were trailing the forms like streamers in a breezy night. Carla agreed. Then we lost them. Didn't matter cause we were too busy looking over the street art and visiting the ZeitZ Museum of contemporary African Art. This was going to take awhile because there are lots of smaller art museums here as well as some great places to catch a meal and we were hungry, The night wasn't getting any younger. I had to stick my head into different shops and art exhibits to round up the group again. Mainly because I noticed the lights down one street headed west toward the coast. Everyone agreed we should keep following, so off we went jogging for a few minutes until we could get them firmly in sight again. Into a wide beautifully paved plaza right into the center of town. Museums here as well. We stood in awe at the architectural grandness of the different museums and buildings that surrounded the plaza. It would take more than the time we had on this night to visit all these tourist sites. And anyway the wispy lights were on the move again headed for Beach Road. Did they stop? No. The lights jumped upon the top of a passing vehicle and went sailing away. We stood dumbfounded in the middle of the road. A passing motorist stopped to question us. All of us at once pointed at the lights riding on top of the swiftly moving car. I know what that is jump in he motioned so we all piled into his little truck. The truck swung swiftly into the fast moving traffic and we sailed through china town, then on through Mini Tel Aviv, down to Sea Point. Now, just ahead of us the two people attached to the lights were more clearly seen. They left the top of the car they had been riding and sailed skyward straight out to sea. By now, we had tumbled out of the little truck, all running toward the harbor point staring at the crazy thing we were watching. Blue Moon started jumping up and down pointing at the ocean. Ship, Ship, she cried. Sure enough two sailors were boarding a ship which bobbed and danced on the heavy ocean waves. It's full sails dancing in the wind seemed to beckon "Come aboard." It made me shiver. The truck driver had parked his vehicle and walked over to us. Looks like it might be the Birkenhead HMS he stated as he stared out at the sea. Sank in 1842. There were 643 people on board. Only 193 made it to shore. Of course we starred at the ship; then. at our new found guide of ghost ships. See, every once in awhile the ghost ships return to the cape. He shrugged. I don't know why just to see the sights I guess. Can I give you a ride to anywhere? |
| 30 day We're heading straight out on our tour of Cape Good Hope and hopefully we'll see penguins and get some time on the pristine beaches. There's lot of things on the itinerary. Check it out and talk about the things that appeal to you. The link has 100 pictures available for your perusing enjoyment on trip advisor. And there's more pictures on travel and leisure. I'm sure you can weave a tale by looking at the pictures.  There it is! The Egyptian sphinx. Do you see it lynn, Fivesixer? I tugged at Sandra Lynn to turn her in the direction I was pointing. Blue Moon chirped her input. I think I see the Flying Dutchman. The Flying Dutchman is a ghost ship legend of a ship that went down off the coast of the Cape. We not only saw penguins; we saw Chacma Baboons. It's only a 30 minute drive from the Nature Reserve Entrance to the cape. The road runs parallel to the coast line. We had to stop for everyone to take pictures of the expansive impressive views. I liked to look at the clouds piled up in long rows, wind blown into place, like a hedge in the sky. Ostriches running wild on the beaches, tribes of baboons with baby monkeys along the road, red hartebeasts, cape zebras all within the wildlife reserve. Looking out to sea with binoculars a southern right whale was spotted. Look quick before it dives. Cape Hope is a port for ships. It was originally called the Cape of Storms. Warm winds blow one way and cold winds blow another way inside the bay, at different times of the year. It creates good oxygen and blows away pollution when cycling into the warm part of the year. Where the Atlantic ocean meets the Indian Ocean warm currents hit colder currents creating rough massive waves. These waves have caused more than one ship wreak. The name was changed to Cape Hope to help change its reputation for disastrous sea problems.Cape Good Hope is not the southern most point as the signs seem to indicate. It was a long and satisfying day in the sun. No storm to mar the trip. |
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